Matthew 3: 13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to defer him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
A Though
This a beautiful picture when heaven opened with God–the Father–Jesus Christ, the Son–and the Holy Spirit all gathered together to fulfill all righteousness. The baptism of Christ was part of fulfilling the mission of destroying the bondage of sin handed down through the disobedience of Adam. By the sinless, obedience of Christ, the hope of redemption was made possible to all who will believe in faith this work of Christ. Baptism is an open statement to God and others of our faith in him and our desire to obey him by the teachings of his word.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your love shown to us by redeeming us from sin by the blood covenant of your son, Jesus the Christ. Help us to be obedient to your word by accepting forgiveness in faith by confessing we have sinned against you. By our baptism we desire to make known to the world that we belong to you. We want to leave our old nature of sin and to be raised to eternal life living in righteousness with you made possible through Jesus the Christ. Come, Holy Spirit, come. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
